Tray for transporting horticultural containers

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a tray for transporting a plurality of horticultural containers. The tray comprises: a plurality of connected container receiving pockets each having a bottom portion and an open distal portion opposite the bottom portion and sized to receive a horticultural container; and a plurality of tabs projecting into at least one of the pockets, each of the plurality of tabs including an upper end connected to the pocket below the open distal portion and extending downward at an angle to position a free distal end into the pocket with a bias against outward radial displacement.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/716,195 filed Dec. 16, 2012, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a tray fortransporting a plurality of horticultural containers.

BACKGROUND

Horticultural growing containers, such as flower pots, are commonlyfilled and seeded in mass quantities at nurseries during large scaleplant propagation operations. At the beginning stages of propagation,the containers can be loaded into trays configured to hold and arrangemultiple containers. The loaded trays can serve as an efficient meansfor organizing, filling and seeding the containers at the nursery, fortransporting containers with grown plants to retail centers, and forultimately displaying the plants to consumers.

The trays can not only be utilized throughout the course of filling,planting, transportation and display of the containers, but can also,after being emptied of containers by retail consumers, be returned fromthe retail center to the nursery for re-use. However, the nursery maywish to re-use the tray with a different sized container. In addition,there may be substantial dimensional variation between commerciallyavailable containers, even among those of a certain size classification.Therefore, consumers of the trays may want trays configured to securelyhold multiple different sized containers.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a tray for transporting a pluralityof horticultural containers. In one aspect, a tray comprises: aplurality of connected container receiving pockets each having a bottomportion and an open distal portion opposite the bottom portion and sizedto receive a horticultural container; and a plurality of tabs projectinginto at least one of the pockets, each of the plurality of tabsincluding an upper end connected to the pocket below the open distalportion and extending downward at an angle to position a free distal endinto the pocket with a bias against outward radial displacement.

In another aspect, a method of transporting a plurality of horticulturalcontainers comprises: loading a bottom of a horticultural containerwithin a first of a plurality of container receiving pockets included ina tray and having a bottom portion and an open distal portion oppositethe bottom portion; engaging a side wall of the horticultural containerwith a plurality of tabs each including an upper end connected to thefirst pocket below the open distal portion and extending downward at anangle to position a free distal end into the first pocket with a biasagainst outward radial displacement; slidably engaging the side wall ofthe horticultural container with the plurality of tabs to radiallydisplace the distal ends of the tabs with respect to the first pocketuntil the distal ends of the tabs engage the side wall of thehorticultural container and apply radially inward tension thereto; andabutting the bottom of the horticultural container with the bottomportion of the first pocket.

In another aspect, a tray comprises: at least one container receivingpocket sized to receive a horticultural container and having a bottomportion, an open distal portion opposite the bottom portion and anupright side wall extending therebetween; four pocket openings definedby the upright side wall, the pocket openings equally circumferentiallyspaced with respect to the upright side wall and each having aperipheral upper edge below the open distal portion of the pocket; and atab connected at each of the peripheral upper edges of the pocketopenings, the tabs extending downward at an angle from the peripheralupper edges of the pocket openings to position a concave free distal endof the tab having a width greater than a length of the tab into thepocket with a bias against outward radial displacement.

These and other aspects will be described in additional detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features, advantages and other uses of the present apparatuswill become more apparent by referring to the following detaileddescription and drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tray for transporting a plurality ofhorticultural containers;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the tray of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the tray of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of the tray of FIG. 1 showingdetails of a pocket;

FIG. 5 is a detailed top view of the tray of FIG. 1 showing details ofthe pocket; and

FIGS. 6A-6C are plan views of the pocket of FIGS. 4 and 5 during receiptof a horticultural container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a tray for transporting a pluralityof horticultural containers that is configured to securely hold multipledifferent sized containers.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a tray 10 is generally composed of a pluralityof connected container receiving pockets. The illustrated tray 10includes a first pocket 12, a second pocket 14, a third pocket 16, afourth pocket 18, a fifth pocket 20 and a sixth pocket 22. The sixpockets 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 are arranged in a three-by-two array.As shown, the tray 10 includes a first row of pockets having the firstpocket 12, the second pocket 14 and the third pocket 16 aligned in alongitudinal direction of the tray 10, and includes a second row ofpockets having the fourth pocket 18, the fifth pocket 20 and the sixthpocket 22 similarly aligned in a longitudinal direction of the tray 10.The first and second rows of pockets are disposed side-by-side in atransverse direction of the tray 10, such that the tray 10 has agenerally rectangular outer profile 30. It will be understood that theillustrated tray 10 is provided as a non-limiting example, and that thetray 10 could include an alternative number and/or arrangement ofpockets.

Each of the six pockets 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 are generally shapedas hollow, frustoconical members that are sized and configured forreceiving a horticultural container, such as a flower pot, that is usedfor cultivation and transport of flowers or other plants. Suchcontainers are commonly composed of polymeric materials, although thetray 10 can be compatible with containers composed of other materials,such as wood or stone.

The six pockets 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 are similarly constructed,although they may vary in position or orientation with respect to thetray 10. The description herein follows where possible withrepresentative reference to the sixth pocket 22. Where a structuralaspect of the sixth pocket 22 is illustrated and/or described, the otherpockets 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 of the tray 10 should be understood asbeing constructed similarly in principle.

With reference to the sixth pocket 22, each of the pockets have a bottomsurface 32, an open distal portion 34 opposite the bottom surface 32,and an outwardly tapering upright side wall 36 extending between thebottom surface 32 and the open distal portion 34. The illustrated pocket22 has a substantially circular cross section, although the pocket 22could alternatively have an oval, oblong or polygonal cross section, forexample.

In the illustrated example of the tray 10, a diameter of the pocket 22at the bottom surface 32 is approximately 5 inches, a diameter of thepocket 22 at the open distal portion 34 is approximately 5.5 inches, andthe pocket 22 has a depth of approximately 2.5 inches. With the otherpockets 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 similarly sized, the tray 10 can have anoverall length in the longitudinal direction of approximately 19 inches,and an overall width in the transverse direction of approximately 13inches.

The open distal portion 34 of the pocket 22 terminates at a lip 38.Similar lips of the other pockets 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 included in thetray 10 are oriented in a common plane and interconnected by a generallyplanar upper surface 40 of the tray. The upper surface 40 of the tray 10generally extends between the lips of the pockets 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and22 in the common plane, and terminates according to the generallyrectangular outer profile 30 of the tray 10.

The upper surface 40 of the tray 10 can include an overturned rim 42 atits outer periphery for additional strength and rigidity. Referringspecifically to FIG. 3, the tray 10 can also optionally include a numberof ribs 44, an example of which is shown extending between an inside ofthe overturned rim 42 of the upper surface 40 and the pocket 22. Inaddition, the tray 10 can optionally include a number of gussets 46, anexample of which is shown extending between the inside of the overturnedrim 42 and the upper surface 40.

The upper surface 40 of the tray 10 can additionally define one or moreU-shaped cross-channels connecting portions of the upright side walls oflaterally and/or transversely adjacent pockets 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 or 22.The illustrated upper surface 40 of the tray 10 includes six U-shapedcross-channels 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60. As shown, a first U-shapedcross-channel 50 extends longitudinally between portions of the uprightside walls of the first pocket 12 and the second pocket 14, a secondU-shaped cross-channel 52 extends longitudinally between portions of theupright side walls of the second pocket 14 and the third pocket 16, athird U-shaped cross-channel 54 extends transversely between portions ofthe upright side walls of the third pocket 16 and the sixth pocket 22, afourth U-shaped cross-channel 56 extends longitudinally between portionsof the upright side walls of the sixth pocket 22 and the fifth pocket20, a fifth U-shaped cross-channel 58 extends longitudinally betweenportions of the upright side walls of the fifth pocket 20 and the fourthpocket 18, and a sixth U-shaped cross-channel 60 extends transverselybetween portions of the upright side walls of the fourth pocket 18 andthe first pocket 12.

In the illustrated example of the tray 10, each of the U-shapedcross-channels 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 extend in a direction parallelto imaginary lines extending normally between radial axes of adjacentpockets 12 and 14, adjacent pockets 14 and 16, adjacent pockets 16 and22, adjacent pockets 22 and 20, adjacent pockets 20 and 18 and adjacentpockets 18 and 12, respectively. The transversely extending U-shapedcross-channels 54 and 60 extend along the respective imaginary lines,while the longitudinally extending U-shaped cross-channels 50, 52, 56and 58 extend offset from respective the imaginary lines in an outwarddirection, that is, toward the outer periphery of the upper surface 40at the outer profile 30 of the tray 10.

The upper portions of the U-shaped cross-channels 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and60 are disposed at the upper surface 40 of the tray 10, with vertexesextending toward the bottom surfaces of the pockets 12, 14, 16, 18, 20and 22. In the illustrated example of the tray 10, the U-shapedcross-channels 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 have widths at the upperportions that are approximately 1.25 inches. The U-shaped cross-channels50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 additionally have a depth from the uppersurface 40 of the tray 10 such that the respective vertexes thereof aredisposed proximate to the bottom portions of the pockets 12, 14, 16, 18,20 and 22. For example, the depth can be approximately 2.25 inches. Itwill be understood that the shape, size, number or orientation of theU-shaped cross-channels 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 can vary from thatspecifically illustrated and described according to strength, rigidity,aesthetic, cost or any other design criteria for the tray 10, and couldalso vary with differences in the number and/or arrangement of thepockets 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 included in the tray 10.

As shown, the upper surface 40 of the tray 10 can also include optionalcutouts 70, an example of which is defined by the upper surface 40between the fifth pocket 20, the sixth pocket 22, the U-shapedcross-channel 56 and the outer profile 30 of the tray 10 at the uppersurface 40. The cutout 70 can generally be provided to save weight andmaterial cost during production of the tray 10, but could also beprovided for other reasons relating, for example, to functional oraesthetic considerations. The geometry of the illustrated cutouts 70 issuch that the material of the upper surface 40 of the tray 10 is removedexcept for material bordering each of the pockets 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and22, U-shaped cross-channels 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60, and the outerprofile 30 of the tray 10. The shape, size, number or orientation of thecutouts 70 can vary from that specifically illustrated and describedaccording to strength, rigidity, aesthetic, cost or any other designcriteria for the tray 10, and could also vary with differences in thenumber and/or arrangement of the pockets 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22, andof the U-shaped cross-channels 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60 included in thetray 10.

The configuration of the exemplary sixth pocket 22 is described withreference to FIGS. 4 and 5. The pocket 22 includes a plurality of tabsextending therein. As shown, the pocket 22 includes four tabs 100, 102,104 and 106 equally spaced about a circumference of the pocket 22. Thetabs 100, 102, 104 and 106 are generally arranged as a first pair ofopposed tabs 100 and 104, and a second pair of opposed tabs 102 and 106.The tabs 100, 102, 104 and 106 are arranged diagonally with respect tothe longitudinal and transverse directions of the tray 10, such that theU-shaped cross-channel 54 extends between adjacent tabs 100 and 102, andthe U-shaped cross-channel 56 extends between adjacent tabs 100 and 106.It will be understood that the illustrated pocket 22 is provided as anon-limiting example, and that the pocket 22, or the pockets 12, 14, 16,18 and 20, could include an alternative number and/or arrangement oftabs.

Each of the four tabs 100, 102, 104 and 106 are configured toresiliently project into the pocket 22 with a bias against outwardradial displacement, and are operative to allow the pocket 22 to accepthorticultural containers with differing shapes and/or sizes.Specifically, the pocket 22 with the tabs 100, 102, 104 and 106 cantensionably receive horticultural containers ranging in size from thosenearing the size of the pocket 22 itself, to those having a sizeslightly larger than a portion of the pocket 22 radially inward of thetabs 100, 102, 104 and 106. Thus, the tray 10, with pockets 12, 14, 16,18 and 20 constructed with tabs similarly to the pocket 22, has manyadvantageous applications. For instance, the tray 10 may be used withcontainers of a certain size, and then reused with different sizedcontainers, the tray 10 can accommodate the dimensional variationsbetween commercially available containers of a similar sizeclassification, or the tray 10 can apply tension to containers of a sizenearing the size of the pockets 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22.

The four tabs 100, 102, 104 and 106 are similarly constructed, althoughthey may vary in position or orientation with respect to the exemplarypocket 22. The description herein follows where possible withrepresentative reference to the tab 100. Where a structural aspect ofthe tab 100 is illustrated and/or described, the other tabs 102, 104 and106 of the pocket 22 should be understood as being constructed similarlyin principle.

The tab 100 may be formed integrally with the tray 10 through aninjection molding process, for example. The illustrated tab 100 isintegrally formed with the side wall 36 of the pocket 22 at an anglewith respect to the side wall 36, as described in further detail below,although the tab 100 could be otherwise formed with the tray 10. Theangle can depend on a variety of design criteria, for example, the sizeand shape of the tab 100, the amount of desired projection into thepocket 22, or the amount of tension to be applied by the tab 100. In theillustrated example, the angle of projection for the tab 100 may beapproximately 15 degrees, although the angle of projection for the tab100 could be larger, for example, approximately 30 to 35 degrees. Thematerial of the tray 10 can be selected such that the tab 100resiliently projects into the pocket 22 with a bias against outwardradial displacement, but can be outwardly radially displaced withrespect to the pocket 22 through interference with a horticulturalcontainer that is being lowered into the pocket 22. For example, thetray 10 can be composed of a recyclable polymeric material suitable forinjection molding, such as polypropylene, although the tray 10 could becomposed of alternative or additional materials.

As shown, the tab 100 extends from one of four pocket openings 110defined by the pocket 22, which, like the four tabs 100, 102, 104 and106, are equally spaced about the circumference of the pocket 22. Theillustrated pocket opening 110 generally includes an outer bottomaperture 112 defined by the bottom surface 32, in communication with aside wall aperture 114 defined by the upright side wall 36 extendingbetween the bottom surface 32 and the open distal portion 34.

The outer bottom aperture 112 has a curvilinear radially innerperipheral edge 120. The radially inner peripheral edge 120 isconcentric with a radial axis of the pocket 22. In the illustratedexample of the outer bottom aperture 112, a diameter of the radiallyinner peripheral 120 edge is approximately 3.75 inches. The outer bottomaperture 112 further has a curvilinear radially outer peripheral edge122 opposite the radially inner peripheral edge 120. The radially outerperipheral edge 122 is concentric with a radial axis of the pocket 122and occurs at the outer periphery of the bottom surface 32, at anintersection between the bottom surface 32 and the upright side wall 36.The outer bottom aperture 112 has opposed edges 124 and 126 connectingbetween the radially inner peripheral edge 120 and the radially outerperipheral edge 122. The opposed edges 124 and 126 are substantiallyparallel, and extend in a plane of the bottom surface 32 at an outwardangle from the radial direction of the pocket 22. In the illustratedexample of the outer bottom aperture 112, a width between the opposededges 124 and 126 can be approximately 2 inches.

In addition to the outer bottom aperture 112, the bottom surface 32defines an inner aperture 128 with an outer peripheral edge concentricwith a longitudinal axis of the pocket 22 and disposed radially inwardof the radially inner peripheral edge 120 of the outer bottom aperture112. Although the illustrated inner aperture 128 is circular, the inneraperture 128 could have an alternative geometry. In the illustratedexample of the bottom surface 32, a diameter of the inner aperture 128is approximately 3.25 inches.

As best shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the above described bottomsurface 32 of the illustrated pocket 22 is generally configured as anannular disk 130 supported by a plurality of radially extending spokes132, 134, 136 and 138 connecting the annular disk 130 to the uprightside wall 36 of the pocket 22. Where the opposed edges 124 and 126 ofthe outer bottom aperture 112 are substantially parallel, as describedabove, each of the spokes 132, 134, 136 and 138 is generally configuredas radially inwardly directed wedge shaped member.

As described above, the illustrated pocket opening 110 includes a sidewall aperture 114 defined by the upright side wall 36 in communicationwith the outer bottom aperture 112 defined by the bottom surface 32. Theside wall aperture 114 includes a curvilinear bottom edge 140. Thebottom edge 140 is common to the radially outer peripheral edge 122 ofthe outer bottom aperture 112, and is likewise concentric with a radialaxis of the pocket 122 and occurs at the outer periphery of the bottomsurface 32, at an intersection between the bottom surface 32 and theupright side wall 36. The side wall aperture 114 further includes a topedge 142 opposite the bottom edge 140. The top edge 142 is concentricwith a radial axis of the pocket 22 and occurs at the upright side wall36 at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface 32 of the pocket22. The predetermined distance can optionally be such that the top edge142 occurs at an upper half of the side wall 36, which may, for example,include the lip 38, although the top edge 142 could alternatively occurotherwise at the side wall 36. In the illustrated example of the sidewall aperture 114, the predetermined distance is approximately 1.75inches.

The side wall aperture 114 further has opposed side edges 144 and 146connecting between the bottom edge 140 and the top edge 142. As shown,the illustrated opposed side edges 144 and 146 generally extend at aninward angle from the bottom edge 140 to the top edge 142. In theillustrated example of the side wall aperture 114, a distance betweenthe opposed side edges 144 and 146 is approximately 2 inches at thebottom edge 140 of the side wall aperture 114, while a distance betweenthe opposed side edges 144 and 146 is approximately 1.5 inches at thetop edge 142.

It can be seen that the illustrated pocket opening 110 includes an outerperiphery including the top edge 142 of the side wall aperture 114,occurring at the upright side wall 36 at the predetermined distance fromthe bottom surface 32 of the pocket 22, as well as the opposed sideedges 144 and 146 of the side wall aperture 114. In addition, the outerperiphery of the pocket opening 110 may include the opposed edges 124and 126 of the outer bottom aperture 112, which are respectivelycoterminous with the edges 144 and 146 of the side wall aperture 114.Finally, the outer periphery of the pocket opening 110 may include theradially inner peripheral edge 120 of the outer bottom aperture 112. Itwill be understood that the shape, size, number or orientation of thepocket opening 110 and other pocket openings of the pocket 22 can varyfrom that specifically illustrated and described according to strength,rigidity, aesthetic, cost or any other design criteria for the tray 10.In addition, while the illustrated pocket opening 110 includes the outerbottom aperture 112 in communication with a side wall aperture 114, theouter bottom aperture 112 need not be included.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the tab 100 includes a first end 150 connectedto the side wall 36 at the top edge 142 of the pocket opening 100.Accordingly, as described above, the first end 150 of the tab 100 may beconnected to the side wall 36 at an upper half of the side wall 36,which may, for example, include the lip 38, although the first end 150of the tab 100 could alternatively be connected otherwise to the sidewall 36. The tab 100 generally extends from the top edge 142 at an anglewith respect to the side wall 36 to project a free distal end 152 of thetab 100 opposite the first end 150 into the pocket 22. The free distalend 152 projected into the pocket 22 is concave, such that correspondingdistal ends of the tabs 102, 104 and 106 form a partial circular profileapproximating that of a cross section of a horticultural container to beplaced into the pocket 22. Thus, the distal ends tabs 102, 104 and 106are operative to fully seat against a horticultural container receivedwithin the pocket 22 while the container is being tensionably engaged.

The tab 100 further includes opposed side edges 154 and 156 extendingbetween the first end 150 and the distal end 152. In the illustratedexample of the tab 100, a distance between the opposed side edges 154and 156 is approximately 1.375 inches at the first end 150, while adistance between the opposed side edges 154 and 156 is approximately 1.5inches at the distal end 152. Thus, the opposed side 154 and 156 edgesgenerally extend at an outward angle from the first end 150 connected tothe side wall 36 to the free distal end 152, such that a width of thetab 100 at the free distal end 152, which projects into the pocket 22 toseat against a horticultural container, is larger than a width of thetab 100 at the first end 150.

The opposed side 154 and 156 edges also generally extend according tothe respective opposed side edges 144 and 146 of the pocket opening 110,so as to provide clearance when radially displaced into the side wall 36of the pocket 22, as shown with additional reference to FIGS. 6A-6C.

In FIG. 6A, a horticultural container 160 is disposed above the pocket22, with the tabs 100, 102, 104 and 106 (the tabs 104 and 106 are shownin this view) resiliently projecting into the pocket 22, as explainedabove, with a bias against outward radial displacement. In FIG. 6B, abottom 162 of the container 160 is lowered with respect to the pocket 22until the container 160 is partially disposed within the pocket 22. Thebottom 162 of the container 160 engages the tabs 104 and 106, at aposition upward of the free distal ends. As the container 160 continuesto be lowered with respect to the pocket 22, a side wall 164 of thecontainer 160 slidably engages the tabs 104 and 106, applying a radiallyouter force to the tabs 104 and 106 and overcoming the bias againstoutward radial displacement.

As shown in FIG. 6C, when the container 160 is fully received within thepocket 22, such that the bottom 162 of the container 160 abuts thebottom surface 32 of the pocket 22, the free distal ends of the tabs 104and 106 tensionably engage and seat against the side wall 164 of thecontainer 160. For the illustrated container 160, which is of a sizenearing the size of the pocket 22, the tabs 104 and 106 are radiallydisplaced into the side wall 36 of the pocket 22, with clearanceprovided by the pocket aperture 110 along the opposed side edges 144 and146.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalentstructures as is permitted under the law.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tray for transporting a plurality ofhorticultural containers, comprising: a plurality of connected containerreceiving pockets each having a bottom portion and an open distalportion opposite the bottom portion and sized to receive a horticulturalcontainer; and a plurality of tabs projecting into at least one of thepockets, each of the plurality of tabs including an upper end connectedto the pocket below the open distal portion and extending downward at anangle to position a free distal end into the pocket with a bias againstoutward radial displacement.
 2. The tray of claim 1, wherein the freedistal end of the tab is concave.
 3. The tray of claim 1, wherein awidth the tab at the free distal end is greater than a length of thetab.
 4. The tray of claim 1, wherein the angle is greater thanapproximately 15 degrees but less than approximately 35 degrees.
 5. Thetray of claim 1, further comprising: a pocket opening corresponding toeach of the plurality of tabs, each pocket opening defined by an uprightside wall of the at least one pocket and having a peripheral upper edgebelow the open distal portion, wherein the upper ends of the tabs areconnected to the pocket at the upper edges of respective pocketopenings.
 6. The tray of claim 1, further comprising: the plurality oftabs including two pairs of opposedly positioned tabs.
 7. The tray ofclaim 1, further comprising: the plurality of connected containerreceiving pockets including adjacent first and second pockets eachhaving an upright side wall; an upper surface connecting the open distalportions of the first and second pockets; a cross-channel defined by theupper surface and extending between the upright side walls of the firstand second pockets.
 8. The tray of claim 7, wherein the cross-channel isdisposed between two adjacent tabs.
 9. The tray of claim 7, wherein avertex of the cross-channel is disposed proximate to the bottom portionsof the first and second pockets.
 10. The tray of claim 7, wherein thecross-channel extends offset from an imaginary line extending betweenrespective radial axes of the first and second pockets.
 11. The tray ofclaim 1, further comprising: the plurality of connected containerreceiving pockets including six pockets arranged in a three-by-twoarray.
 12. A method of transporting a plurality of horticulturalcontainers, comprising: loading a bottom of a horticultural containerwithin a first of a plurality of container receiving pockets included ina tray and having a bottom portion and an open distal portion oppositethe bottom portion; engaging a side wall of the horticultural containerwith a plurality of tabs each including an upper end connected to thefirst pocket below the open distal portion and extending downward at anangle to position a free distal end into the first pocket with a biasagainst outward radial displacement; slidably engaging the side wall ofthe horticultural container with the plurality of tabs to radiallydisplace the distal ends of the tabs with respect to the first pocketuntil the distal ends of the tabs engage the side wall of thehorticultural container and apply radially inward tension thereto; andabutting the bottom of the horticultural container with the bottomportion of the first pocket.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein thefree distal end of the tab has a concave profile approximating the sidewall of the horticultural container.
 14. The method of claim 12, whereina width the tab at the free distal end is greater than a length of thetab.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the angle is greater thanapproximately 15 degrees but less than approximately 30 degrees.
 16. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the plurality of tabs includes two pairs ofopposedly positioned tabs.
 17. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising: propagating a plant within the horticultural container; andtransporting the horticultural container with the plant therein with thetray.
 18. A tray for transporting a plurality of horticulturalcontainers, comprising: at least one container receiving pocket sized toreceive a horticultural container and having a bottom portion, an opendistal portion opposite the bottom portion and an upright side wallextending therebetween; four pocket openings defined by the upright sidewall, the pocket openings equally circumferentially spaced with respectto the upright side wall and each having a peripheral upper edge belowthe open distal portion of the pocket; and a tab connected at each ofthe peripheral upper edges of the pocket openings, the tabs extendingdownward at an angle from the peripheral upper edges of the pocketopenings to position a concave free distal end of the tab having a widthgreater than a length of the tab into the pocket with a bias againstoutward radial displacement.